HE PULLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS CUMMING. It meant one thing for Stacey— hindi pa handang magkaanak si Renante.

Maybe, he considered, knowing that she will be okay with or without a baby. But he suddenly changed his mind.

Nilingon ni Stacey si Renante. Ito ang nagmamaneho sa pulang Corvette papunta sa mansyon ng mga Villaluz.

Habang nakatitig kay Renante, hindi niya mapigilang balikan ang nangyari.

I guess, he has a point. Mas makabubuti sa anak namin kung kasal na kami bago namin siya mabuo... hindi ba?

Renante stole a swift glance at her. As his eyes returned on the road, a smile lifted the right corner of his lips. Inisahang kamay nito ang hawak sa manibela para abutin ng isa pa ang kanyang kamay mula sa pagkakapatong sa kandong niyang hand bag.

"Nervous?"

Umiling siya nang kaunti.

"Hindi naman."

"I know her best, so trust me, okay?" With 'her', Renante meant his mother, Luz. "Let me take charge when she starts asking questions."

Humigpit ang kamay ni Renante kaya hinigpitan din ni Stacey ang pagkakahawak dito.

"Yes."

She said yes so swift. In a heartbeat. Three years in a relationship and Stacey already trusted Renante this much. This much she would not think twice of relying almost everything to him.

Masayang binalik ni Stacey sa harap ang tingin.

Nang marating ang tahanan ng mga Villaluz, katulong ang sumalubong sa kanila ni Renante. The maid guided them to the dining room, daintily decorated in white and porcelain-vased bouquet of white calla lilies with white petal, yellow centered daisies. Puti ang mga pinggan na naka-set sa mesa. Transparent ang mga tall glass at wine glass. Puti ang table napkins na may silver outlines habang silverware naman ang gagamiting kubyertos.

"Napaaga yata tayo," nangingiting lingon niya kay Renante. Wala pa kasing katao-tao sa dining room.

Renante turned to the maid. "Where's everybody?"

"Si Sir Ronnie, nag-aayos pa sa kwarto niya. Nasa kitchen si Ma'am Luz kasama si Ate Mariela, hinahanda ang mga pagkain. Si Sir Ronaldo naman po, ayaw magpa-istorbo sa office room niya."

Renante nodded and turned to her, giving her a look that says 'Well, I hope that answers our question.'

Pagkaalis ng katulong para tumulong sa kusina, roon na nagsalita si Stacey.

"So, wala pa pala si Paige rito."

"Yes."

Pumihit si Renante paalis ng dining area. Kinawit ni Stacey ang braso sa isang braso nito.

They walked.

"Malapit na mag-seven, at nandito pa rin si Ronnie. Meaning, hindi niya susunduin si Paige?"

"That's most likely." Natunugan agad ni Renante ang pagsususpetsa niya sa loob-loob. He really knew her so well. "I don't think, we need to know their reasons. It's their own relationship we should not meddle with."

"I don't intend to meddle. I am just curious," depensa ni Stacey. Come on. This is a special night. Bakit hindi man lang masundo ni Ronnie ang girlfriend niya at dalhin dito?

Renante took Stacey to the table set in the veranda. His hand carefully stroked her lower waist as he pulled her toward a seat.

Dama ni Stacey ang maingat na pagkiskis ng palad ni Renante sa makintab na tela ng kanyang maroon one-shoulder knee-length dress na patagilid ang tabas ng palda.

Her feet, wearing black ankle-strap high heels, slightly crisscrossed as she moved along to where he was motioning her to.

Pagkaupo niya sa bakal na upuan, siyang sandal ni Renante sa gilid ng hita sa gilid ng mesa.

Niyuko nito ang ulo para magtama ang kanilang tingin. Siyang tingala ni Stacey dito. He caressed the side of her face, making her smile softly at him.

"No matter what happens, I am never letting you go again," Renante promised, smiling with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

"As if I am going away," Stacey sprinkled a proud scoff in her low chuckle.

As if Renante would want to let her go. Binigay niya ang lahat dito. At marami pa siyang kayang gawin para manatili silang ganito. She would not give him any reason to leave her.

Ilang minuto rin sila nanatili sa veranda. Nagkwentuhan nang kaunti. Pinag-usapan kung ano ang mga tanong na sasagutin kapag nakakwentuhan ang pamilya ni Renante. Katulong na mismo ang naghanap sa kanila para pabalikin sa dining area.

Pagkabalik sa dining room, nakahain na ang hapunan nila. Napangiti si Stacey sa bango ng pagkain na bumungad sa kanila. At the other end of the table, she saw Luz in her stunning white round-necked slip-on dress with short sleeves. She wore a thin silver necklace glimmered in different angled hit of the lighting in the room. Nakaladlad ang itim at maikli nitong buhok, maliit ang diamond studs ng earrings na suot.

Luz' soft glowing smile encouraged Stacey to step forward and have a cheek-to-cheek with her.

"You're early," masayang tingala nito sa kanya nang maghiwalay sila. "The maid already told me while we're cooking. But I did not go out to greet, lalo na at hindi pa ako nakakapag-ayos kanina!"

"I told her that we will arrive too early, but she wants to get here already," Renante spoke, calm and collected.

Luz gave him a look, but he never nudged from standing behind her with a hand assisting her lower back. Napalingon tuloy si Stacey sa lalaki. Mukhang hindi nito nage-gets ang pinapahiwatig ng nanay nito.

"Hindi naman siguro nakababawas sa pagkalalaki ang bumeso sa nanay niya," nakangiting tukso niya rito.

Luz stifled it but her low chuckle still escaped. Renante slipped a short glance to the ceiling, groaned shortly before he gave Luz a quick cheek-to-cheek. His hand remained at her lower back. Hindi nga lang sa kabilaang pisngi tulad ng ginawa ni Stacey. Matapos maglapat ang isang pisngi nila, bumalik si Renante sa kinatatayuan nito.

"Where's everyone?" Renante asked.

"Pinatawag ko na ang Dad mo," handa ni Luz para umupo sa silya sa bandang kanan ng kabisera. "Si Ronnie naman, inaabangan sa labas si Paige."

Stacey smiled at that. Renante nodded once and guided her to a seat beside his mother's. Pinaghihila na siya nito ng upuan nang lumitaw sa dining room si Ronnie. Nakasunod dito si Paige.

Ronnie wore a pair of powder blue slacks, white slip-on shoes, and white collared short-sleeved shirt with hints of faint pale blue stripes across the chest. His jet-black hair was damp and slightly waved as it was swept to one side. Samantala, sobrang neat pagmasdan ni Paige sa puti nitong t-shirt na napapatungan ng light amber dress na may pleated skirt na abot hanggang mga binti nito. She wore a pair of white sliders and carried a big basket-like shoulder bag in a soft shade of autumn color. Walang nag-iba sa unat na bobcut nitong hairstyle.

"Good evening," malumanay nitong bati at lumagpas sa kanila para yumuko at bumeso kay Luz na hindi na tumayo sa pagkakaupo nito.

Ronnie, on the other hand, already positioned at the other side of the table. Pinaghila nito ng upuan si Paige.

"Good evening," ngiti ni Luz sa dalaga.

Mabilis na tinungo ni Paige ang upuan at pinagtulak ni Ronnie bago ito pumuwesto sa kanyang tabi, na siyang kaliwa ng kabisera.

Lumiit ang ngiti ni Stacey. She turned to Renante who had been waiting for her to get seated. Napayuko siya habang umuupo.

Paige had been pretty honest with her way back in VVatch. Ewan kung bakit umasa pa siyang babatiin nito rito. Pinaghintay pa niya si Renante at ang kanyang uupuan.

Nang maipagtulak na siya ni Renante, tumabi ito sa kanya. Stacey glanced to her left where Luz seated, then to her right where she met Renante's reassuring gaze. Ginagap nito ang kamay niya.

She leaned close to him, stared straight into his eyes.

"Am I overdressed?"

Kumunot ang noo nito. "What overdressed?"

"Come on. Look at all your clothes. Then, look at mine."

Stacey was talking about her shiny satin maroon dress.

Sumaglit ng tingin si Renante sa kabuuan niya. He smiled at her.

"You look really beautiful, Stace."

Saglit siyang natameme. Pinigilan niya ang mapangiti.

"I-I... I know, but, come on, I overdressed, right? You should have told me how they dress like at events like this—"

Renante gently squeezed her hand.

"Then what? Discourage you to wear what you want?"

Nagbaba siya ng tingin.

"You look stunning, alright? And you picked the dress you like. You are wearing something you're comfortable with. That's all that matters."

Napunta sa dulo ng silid ang tingin nila nang marinig ang masiglang boses ni Ronaldo.

He walked in, wearing a pair of grey slacks and a button-down brown shirt with white stripes. Naka-tuck in, kaya medyo halata ang beer belly ng ginoo.

"Wow," anito at dumaan sa likuran nila patungo sa upuan nito sa kabisera.

Ronaldo seated, he was the least conscious with all their eyes focused on him.

"This already feels like a very pleasant evening. I see three stunning ladies here instead of the usual one and only," sumimple pa ito ng sulyap kay Luz.

Hindi maikakaila sa pagkakangiti ni Ronaldo ang pagmamahal sa asawa nito. It was as if, everytime Ronaldo would lay his eyes on Luz, he would just be ensnared by her gently glow over and over again.

Ngumiti lang si Luz bago sila inisa-isa ng mga mata nito.

"Hindi pa nase-serve ang wine, pero parang may malakas na ang tama rito," biro nito sa malumanay na boses.

Stacey was about to laugh but she held back upon seeing that the joke only got smiles as a response. Mula kay Ronaldo hanggang kay Paige at sa dalawang anak ni Luz, napangiti lang sila sa birong iyon at hindi natawa.

Kaya pigil ni Stacey ang sarili at ngumiti na lang.

Luz looked at the maids over her shoulder. Nakahanay ang mga ito sa isang sulok ng dining room, nakaabang sa senyales ng ginang. Isang tingin lang ni Luz at kumilos na ang mga ito para pagsilbihan sila ng pagkain.

When a maid began accommodating Stacey, she simply asked for a serving of a creamy chowder soup. Stacey wanted something warm and light for starters. At the same time, she has the option if she wanted to feel full already or not. Kung gusto niyang mabusog, kakaining niya ang mga sahog ng sopas. Kung gusto niya muna ng light para sa sikmura, sisimsimin na lang muna niya ang malapot nitong sabaw.

"I'm so happy we all finally get together," ani Luz habang abala pa ang mga katulong sa pag isa-isa sa kanila. "It's been quite long since the last time the family is complete here at the dining table."

Napatingin si Luz sa kanila kaya nahihiyang nginitian ito ni Stacey.

She didn't know how to react. The statement made her feel like a thief. Si Renante lang naman ang umalis sa poder ng mga Villaluz. Stacey felt like she took him away which made the family incomplete.

"Well, when Ronnie, Dad, and I are not busy with work, we can always have dinners," ani Renante na sa totoo lang, nagpagaan sa loob ni Stacey.

Kahit siguro dito pa rin nakatira si Renante, hindi sila makukumpleto tuwing dinner sa sobrang busy nila sa trabaho.

Stacey saw Paige already putting butter on her slice of baguette. Kaya hindi na siya nahiyang sumimsim ng kaunting soup.

Sumunod ang walang kupas na kumustahan. Ronnie began talking about their family's metal company. Paige shared limited information about her projects as a designer.

Nang mapunta ang pangungumusta ni Luz kay Renante, tipid nitong binalita na busy sila sa VVatch para sa release ng bagong collection ng relo.

"I thought you're still waiting for the metal sheets you ordered from us?" pagseseryoso ni Ronaldo.

"Well, we can't wait for that anymore. If the items arrived, gagawin na lang naming stock para sa susunod na production ng relo," sagot ni Renante.

"Isn't that a waste? Making your stainless steel wait for long?"

"They are non-perishable so, I don't think it will mind waiting. Alagaan na lang sa proper storage," sagot ni Renante bago binalik ang tingin sa kinakain nitong salmon.

Mukhang wala nang gustong itanong si Ronaldo, at wala nang balak si Renante dagdagan ang paliwanag nito. Luz took charge again.

"What keeps you occupied naman, Stacey?"

Napatitig siya saglit sa bowl na katapat. Medyo kinabahan si Stacey dahil alam naman ni Luz ang tungkol sa kanyang woven bag business.

"Haven't I mentioned it to you? She has this woven bags business," lingon ni Ronaldo sa asawa.

Tumuwid siya ng upo at nilingon ang ulo sa mga ito.

"I already sold the company."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Ronnie. That may make him look upset, but it was actually how he looked when something piqued his interest as well.

"You sold it? Nabili na ba?"

Nilipat ni Stacey ang tingin dito.

"Yes."

"That quick?"

"A few months ago. Yes."

"That quick?" ulit ni Ronnie, naninigurado.

"Yes. It is at its peak, kaya mabilis kong nabenta."

"Aren't you supposed to take advantage of a company when it is at its peak? Why sell it too soon?"

"Who will want to buy the company when it's not at its peak?"

Napasandal si Ronnie sa kinauupuan. "Well, if it has some credibility to its name."

"You have an idea how long it will take to build a reputation."

"Yes."

"In your company's case, it took generations. Do I have to take that risk too?"

"Why sell the company?" Paige coolly intercepted in her usual lifeless voice.

Napatitig si Stacey dito. Hindi siya makapaniwala na makikisali sa usapan ang babae. Alam naman niyang hindi magaan ang loob nito sa kanya. Was it because Ronnie was involved in this discord?

Stacey chose to be as civil as possible.

"I just want to?"

"Why start-up that company then? If you're just going to leave it? If you're not passionate about it?"

"Life is not always about what you're passionate for," iyon lang at binalik niya ang tingin kina Luz. "For me, I work on what interests me for a moment. If my interest wanes, I shift gears."

"I hope that's not the same philosophy you have when it comes to relationships," magaang tawa ni Ronaldo.

Napayuko si Paige. Her shoulders shook at her muted chuckle. Ronnie was also laughing lowly. Luz shook her head, spooned her mashed potato and laughed. Stacey could not figure out what's funny about that remark. She just lovingly gazed at Renante who didn't laugh but simply smiled back at her.

"I don't mix business affairs with personal affairs."

"Is that so?" Paige smiled but it did not reach her eyes. "Then why did you join us at VVatch?"

"You're at VVatch?" gulat na lingon ni Luz sa kanya.

Stacey glanced at Luz and smiled. "Yes. I am currently working with Paige. Pareho kaming nasa Design Department." Tapos, binalik niya ang atensyon kay Paige. "I sold my sole business, right? Hindi naman forever na nasa bank account ko 'yong perang nakuha ko sa pagbenta ng Hibla. So, I need other sources of income."

Dumaan ang pagkalito sa mukha ni Paige. At saka lang na-realize ni Stacey na mukhang mali ang pagkaka-interpret ng babae sa mga sinabi niya. She sounded a little bitchy right there, but Stacey did not intend to be rude or anything like that. She was only trying to explain her point.

Nginitian na lang niya ang mga kasama sa hapag.

"And Renante needs my knowledge with weaving business, since, you know, that's the scope of the last business I handled so..." She shrugged to appear nonchalant and sipped some soup on her spoon.

Pagkatapos maghapunan, saglit na hiniram ni Ronaldo ang mga anak para makausap. Si Luz naman ang nakasama nila Stacey at Paige sa veranda.

"This is my favorite spot in the house," gabay sa kanila ni Luz palapit sa table set doon. "This veranda. It's the most relaxing part of this house for me."

Lahat sila, may kanya-kanyang wine glass na dala. Kaunti na lang ang natitira sa basong hawak ni Stacey.

Luz motioned to the chairs. "Take your seats."

Tahimik na pinaghila ni Paige ang sarili ng upuan. Siya naman, nilapag lang sa sentro ng mesa ang wine glass.

"I'll be back po. I just need to use it."

"Oh," gulat na singhap ni Luz. "Alam mo ba kung saan ang toilet dito? Sasamahan kita."

Ilalapag na rin sana ni Luz ang wine glass pero naunahan niya ito.

"I'll ask the maid," sulyap ni Stacey saglit sa katulong na napadaan sa salas na abot-tanaw sa veranda.

Luz smiled, a little hesitant at first, but then relieved.

"We'll wait here."

"Thanks."

Sumaglit siya ng tingin kay Paige na blangko lang ang ekspresyon sa mukha.

Pagkatapos magtanong sa maid, tinungo ni Stacey ang pinakamalapit na toiletroom. Iyon ay madadaanan bago ang dining room. Nasa makitid na paliko iyon.

Kakaliko lang doon ni Stacey nang maulinigan ang mga lalaki na kakalisan lang ng dining room.

"Go ahead," ani Ronaldo kay Ronnie.

Nauna si Ronnie, nakita pa siya nito sa palikong patungo sa toiletroom pero nagpatuloy ito sa paglakad.

"Renante, about Stacey..." panimula ni Ronaldo.

Napako si Stacey sa kinatatayuan.

"I already answered your question. Hindi mababago ang sagot kahit hindi natin kasama ngayon si Ronnie."

"It's actually your mom who's wondering if—"

Kasabay ng paghinto ni Ronaldo sa pagsasalita ang pagtigil ng paghinga ni Stacey.

"I have no plans of marrying Stacey, Dad. Okay? Tell that to Mom."